on $100k a year, leaving Chicago

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Albuquerque, NM cityscape

swapping out of chicago

Albuquerque

nm · metro 924k

photo: Lad Fury / pexels

a dispatch from

albuquerque

NM

35.08°N

106.65°W

Albuquerque is green chile on everything, the Sandia Mountains turning pink at sunset (the name literally means watermelon), and the Balloon Fiesta in October when 500+ hot air balloons fill the sky. The old town adobes feel like the 1700s, the food fuses Native, Mexican, and Spanish in ways you won't get anywhere else. Breaking Bad fans will recognize half the city, and locals are good-natured about it.

metro924k

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01 · the verdict

the verdict

$602

lighter monthly cost than Chicago

Albuquerque gives you room Chicago doesn't. Same gross salary, lower monthly cost of living.
landable, recorded on the albuquerque entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,489/mo

31% cheaper than Chicago(vs $2,170/mo)

02state income tax

5.9%

$79/mo more in state tax than Chicago

vs 4.95% in Chicago

03after rent

$6,353/mo

$602 more than Chicago

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$351k

4% cheaper than Chicago

vs $365k in Chicago

05metro size

924k

vs 9.3M in Chicago

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

205

pleasant days a year, in albuquerque.

Chicago keeps to 153 pleasant days a year. Summer is real but not punishing: 34 days top 95° vs Chicago's 1.

Noticeably quieter than Chicago. About 97% fewer events on a typical month.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

81/100

16% higher than Chicago

vs 70/100 in Chicago

Closest outdoor draw: Sandia Mountain Wilderness, 13.4 mi.

·walk score®

94/100

6% lower than Chicago

vs 100/100 in Chicago

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

23

89% fewer than Chicago

vs 217 nonstops in Chicago

04 · see also

if albuquerque appeals, also worth a look:

see also

spartanburg

$5/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

greenville

more things to do

turn the page

see also

spokane

$460/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare albuquerque with:

SpartanburgGreenvilleSpokane